Texas Border Business
Agriculture is a critical driver of the national economy, and the agricultural industry is a key component of our local, regional, and state income base. Congressman Vela as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management understands the challenges today’s farmers and ranchers face with unpredictable growing conditions and volatile markets.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting that net farm income levels for 2019 will be only 77 percent of the national average from 2000 to 2017.
According to Vela, the decline in revenue is impacting producers around the country, and he recently convened a Congressional hearing to review the state of the farm economy. Witnesses included Matt Huie, a farmer from Beeville, Texas and the producers shared their concerns about depressed prices, ongoing trade wars, and weather-related crop losses.
“This firsthand testimony will help the House Agriculture Committee ensure that the policies support the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and clothed,” Vela finalized.
